Rape biggest crime trend in India

Rape which has become a characteristic of metro cities and especially of Delhi, is the biggest crime trend in India.

Rape has seen the maximum rise among all the total cognizable crimes in the country recorded under the Indian Penal Code between 1953 to 2011, according to the latest data by National Crime Trend Bureau (NCRB) – the statistical wing of Indian Police under ministry of home affairs (MHA).

With 24,206 cases in 2011, rape cases jumped to incredible increase of 873 % from 1971 when the oldest case of rape was first recorded by NCRB. Even in 1971, there were 2043 cases of rape, the NCRB report said.

The NCRB had started collecting data on rape cases only from 1971 while other cognizable crimes have been chronicled from 1953.

Among all the states, Madhya Pradesh has emerged as the rape capital of India with 3406 cases involving this heinous crime – the highest in the country.

West Bengal, the state known more for its rich literary heritage, ranks second with 2363 rape cases.

Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan follow next with 2042 and 1800 cases.

Among the union territories, Delhi with rising incidence of such cases reported in the NCR region ranked one with 507 cases whereas Mumbai reported 117 cases of rape in 2011.

In 2011, there were 9398 cases of rape involving children. Kidnapping and abduction was the second biggest crime in the country with a rise of 749 % as compared with the data chronicled in 1953.

Murder and riots followed next increasing by 250 % and 233 % respectively. Incidence of dacoity, burglary and house breaking, however, showed the most declining trend over a period of 59 years.